A coalition of manufacturers led by SolarWorld filed a trade complaint
against China today, seeking tariffs of at least 100 percent on cheap Chinese
solar panels flooding the U.S. market.

The complaint is one of the largest U.S. trade actions filed in recent
years, with major implications for Oregon, where state officials have recruited
solar manufacturers.

SolarWorld, a German company that employs 1,000 in Hillsboro making solar
products, led six other companies accusing China of illegally subsidizing
Chinese companies that “dump” cells and panels at below cost to build market
share in the United States. The solar companies say Beijing backs Chinese
companies with massive cash grants, preferential loans, tax exemptions and
discounted land, power and water.

The newly formed Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing says the unfair
tactics have sent worldwide prices plunging 30 to 40 percent during the last 12
months. During the past 18 months, seven U.S. solar employers have closed or
downsized.

“Solar technology was invented here and we intend to keep it here,” Brinser
said.

Wyden said the U.S. solar industry has been collapsing due to unfair
competition from China. “Our people, in an economy just full of economic hurt,
are being laid off,” Wyden said. “There seems to be one primary explanation for
this. That is that China is cheating.”

Merkley said Chinese companies including Trina Solar benefit from
low-interest loans arranged by the government.

“American-based companies can compete with their Chinese competitors,”
Merkley said, “but what they can’t do is compete with the Chinese
government.”

Chinese officials in Washington, D.C., and San Francisco did not respond
today to requests for comment.-- Richard Read